Bringing families together, one newsletter at a time!

Inspire Insider

Bringing families together, one newsletter at a time!

Monday, May 13, 2019

Quote of the Week

School News and Important Dates

Learning Period 9 Ends This Friday

Can you believe it is almost the end of the school year? Where did the time go?!

Our New Online Subscription Package for 2019-2020 has been updated!

We have new updates to our 2019-2020 OSP package! Kids Discover online and Prodigy have now been added!

Next Week: Preferred Vendor and Curriculum Showcase

Who are Inspire's Orange County Preferred Vendors and what do they offer? Which curriculum might work best for your family? These are questions we know many of our wonderful families have, so be sure to join our showcase next week!

Parent Testimonials for Curriculum

OC Vendor Summer Camp List!

As Inspire parents, we understand how helpful it would be to have all of the county's summer camps listed in one place. We have started gathering flyers for summer camps/courses our vendors are holding and put them all in one place for you here! You can click on the link to go straight to the vendor's website.

Testing Resources

Testing has arrived, and we are so proud of our students! Our wonderful teachers have compiled a list of resources and links to practice tests to help your student feel comfortable with the testing process.

Let's Thank our Awesome Teachers!

While we missed last week's Teacher Appreciation Week, we want to take a moment to thank our awesome teachers for all they do to help our families customize their educational experiences! We appreciate you all!

Important Information About Inspire's Enrichment Adventures

2019 Homeschool Conference Information for Families

A message from our Parent Advocacy Team:

Hello everyone,

We are excited to share with you all the info about our local homeschool conferences/conventions and how Inspire makes them special for our families.

Inspire’s Instructional Fund Policy allows up to $350 of student funds to be used towards parent workshops relating to educating their child(ren) in the independent study model in one school year.

These requests must be approved by the teacher and enrichment staff as usual. Parental educational development cannot exceed $350.00 per family, per year, regardless of the number of enrolled students or the number of parents/guardians in the family.

End of the School Year Picnic

Preferred Vendor Info Sessions

Do you have questions about our Preferred Vendors? Want to learn more about your options for our 2019-2020 school year? Our wonderful team is holding Preferred Vendor Info Sessions throughout the next few months! Simply join from your computer here: https://www.tinyurl.com/inspirepv

Invite Your Friends To Our Info Sessions

Have a friend who asks about Inspire's amazing team and benefits? Do your friends ask you about homeschooling? We'd love to meet them at one of our upcoming Information Sessions!

Enrollment for the 2019-2020 year is open here now! Current parents do not need to re-enroll, your HST will send you a Master Agreement to sign for 2019-2020.

Senior Grad Night

We would like to invite all Inspire Seniors to Inspire’s Grad Nite at Disney California Adventure on June 11, 2019! Your ticket includes access to Grad Nite festivities like dance parties and California Adventure rides and attractions from 9 p.m. to 2 a.m.

Please note! We recently received an update that instructional funds can now be used for Grad Nite tickets. If you have already paid out of pocket, the Enrichment Team will be contacting you.

Field Trips

Educational Tools

National Geographic's World's Best Geode Kit

Discover amazing crystal treasures with this exciting earth science kits. Crack open 10 superior-quality geodes from five different mines across the globe. You'll find a variety of crystal formations that might include quartz, calcite, pyrite, or even amethyst. Breaking them open is a thrill for all ages and a great family activity. Includes safety goggles and a learning guide. A household hammer is required.

Homeschooling Advice

8 Ways to Make Time Outdoors a Priority in Your Homeschool

"One of my first homeschool memories is of my children and me riding our bikes around the neighborhood one weekday morning. It was early spring and one of the first pretty days in a long while. I remember saying to my son, " If you were still in school and I were still teaching, we would be inside, missing this beautiful day."

For our family, learning happens everywhere, and frequently that means outdoors. Whether it’s finding owl pellets to dissect, watching meteor showers, collecting salamander eggs and watching them evolve, or simply taking our books and supplies outside, the opportunity to head outside whenever we want is one of our favorite perks to homeschooling.

It’s also really important for kids and adults to spend time outdoors. An article from the Harvard Health Blog, 6 Reasons Children Need to Play Outside, maintains that outside play impacts our children’s health and success. Looking for ways to get your kids outdoors this spring? Here are my eight favorite ways."

Local Events

Environmental Nature Center's 14th Annual Spring Faire

Come and join the fun at the 14th Annual Spring Faire and Butterfly House Opening! View the Youth Art Exhibit. Enjoy delicious food from local restaurants. Visit Orange County’s only butterfly house. Purchase native plants and attract butterflies and birds to your own yard. Purchase a re-usable ENC canvas bag for $5 – your “ticket” to make awesome crafts! Decorate your body with face paint. Play nature games, and see a live Bird of Prey presentation from the OC Bird of Prey Center.

Check out pictures from a past Spring Faire! Learn more about being an Event Sponsor, click HERE. To find out how to take part in our “Savor OC” showcase HERE.

The ENC is striving to be Zero Waste! Bring your own drink containers, utensils and plate for a discount on food and beverages!

Date: Sunday, May 19, 2019

Time: 10am to 3pm

Address: 1601 E. 16th Street, Newport Beach, CA 92663

Parking: Parking is available in the Newport Harbor High School parking lot on 16th street. We also encourage you to walk or ride your bike if you live close! Go green!

Upcoming Events at American Academy for Strategic Education

Apollo 11 Special Exhibit Lands at the Nixon Library

The exhibit opens April 29, 2019, and runs through January 12, 2020.

On July 20, 1969, the eyes of the world watched as Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin became the first men to walk on the moon. Just minutes after landing they received a call from President Richard Nixon in the Oval Office, with congratulations on behalf of the American people. Three days later, President Nixon personally greeted the three astronauts at the splashdown site in the Pacific Ocean, aboard the U.S.S. Hornet.

Museum-goers will take a thrill ride through the Space Race of the 1950s and 1960s, President Kennedy’s famous challenge to go to the moon, and the scientific and technological advancements that were developed —many in Southern California— to ensure success and survival on this inspirational mission.

The exhibit’s originally-created, 360-degree virtual reality experience will transport visitors to the lunar surface on July 20, 1969, to see and hear Neil Armstrong’s “one giant leap for mankind.”

Community and Connection

Facebook Page

Did you know we have an Orange County Facebook page? We have new parents in the group who would love to hear from you! We also advertise our field trips here, and upload the newsletter there every week.

Instagram Page

Orange County Parent Resource Site

Have you visited Inspire's Orange County Parent Resource Site yet? If not, head on over to meet our regional team, stay current on school events, and find general school information. This website is a great resource and one you'll want to bookmark!

Ladan Rashidi - OC Family Liaison

I have three children who are 2, 6 and 8 years old, and I was previously a high school math teacher. Four years ago, our family chose the path of homeschooling and we have enjoyed it ever since! I am passionate about helping families navigate their way on their exciting homeschooling journey, and connecting individuals to build a community!

Shaemanique King - OC Family Liaison

I am a mom of four children, ranging in ages from 8 years to 6 months, and have homeschooled for the past four years. I consider my homeschooling style to be “eclectic” as I draw from many sources and philosophies. I have a background in Project Management Support and enjoy planning and hosting activities and events. I look forward to interacting with and supporting homeschooling families!